By MADDY VITALE
Sea Isle City Girl Scout Troop 41012 members are showcasing their creative side with a new fundraiser to help benefit their community.
And during a year of hosting events, many that were virtual amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they are persevering, Troop Leader Kristy Pittaluga said Sunday.
She said she, the other Troop leaders, Kathe Wilkin and Danielle Larsen, and the 17 Girl Scouts decided on an event to help those in need and also the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church, which allowed them to use their indoor space for meetings.
“For our service project we all thought it was important to help serve our community in some way and also give back to the church that has been gracious to allow us to use their indoor space,” Pittaluga said.
The troop often helps the community. Over the weekend the Girl Scouts participated in a beach cleanup at Townsends Inlet Park and surrounding beach areas, she noted.
During a brainstorming meeting, the Girl Scouts and troop leaders came up with the idea for an outdoor food storage box as their community service project.
“Some of the girls attend Ocean City Intermediate School and there is a collection box outside the school,” Pittaluga explained. “This is used especially during the summer months when vacationers are leaving town. They place their unopened food in the storage box and then those items get donated to the local food bank. We loved the idea to bring something like that to Sea Isle.”
So, with that idea in mind, on Saturday, May 1, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Methodist Church parking lot, 4102 Central Ave., teams of up to six people of all ages can meet up for a “Selfie Scavenger Hunt,” with proceeds of the fundraiser going toward the food storage box.
“The girls of Sea Isle’s Troop 41012 are working hard on their end of year service project,” Pittaluga said. “In an effort to benefit the local community, they are raising funds for an outside storage unit for food donations to the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church.”
Donations for the food cupboard at the Methodist Church are always needed and appreciated, Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid has said.
And, since COVID, the need has grown as more and more families have reached out to the church for help.
Over the last year, food donations have been needed more than ever due to the pandemic as families faced difficult times due to job losses and illness.
The cost to preregister for the Scavenger Hunt is $25 per team and $30 for a team that registers the day of the event. There will be prizes among other highlights of the event.
All of the clues will be found around streets from 1st Street to Townsends Inlet Park.
The requirements include a roadworthy car with a licensed driver. A smartphone is required for uploading pictures quickly. All COVID regulations must be adhered to.
“What’s better than having a blast while raising money?” Pittaluga asked. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
To register for the Selfie Scavenger Hunt email gstroop41012@gmail.com. 
